Attorney vs Attorney

[VR3523 0]

Hello to all that read hear. This is my fist day as a member here and my first post. I just returned from Vietnam and my fiance and I were married while I was there. I am going to file for the IR-1/CR-1 Visa. On this site, one of the advertisments is for an attorney by the name of Calvin Knickerbocker. I contacted him to inquire about services and estimated total costs. His base rate for an immigration is $650.00 plus he listed a bunch of fees for forms that would need to be filed, total of $1698.00, so his total estimate would be $2348.00, he is out of California. I also contacted a local attorney here in North Dakota and his fee is $5000.00 plus a list of fees for the forms. This is quite an extreeme. Can I get an idea from the community here as to what it does realy cost to hire an attorney? Does anyone know this Calvin Knickerbocker and have refferance for him, good or bad? Does anyone have any ideas as to why the difference in cost? I am still shopping around and waiting for other attorneys to get back to me, however I am trying to get a start on this and am looking for information to make good decisions with.

Thanks for any good input.

[ndu26 114]

congrats on your wedding and welcome to VJ!

Vj is a DIY site. Most people here file their petitions and see it through. Some started with an attorney, came to VJ realized the process was a nobrainer( for straight forward cases) and dumped their attorney. Some dumped their attorneys because they were getting wrong information or were doing most of the work that they have paid for.

Attorneys basically just fill out your forms ( something you can handle yourself) they have no direct effect on the speed or approval of your petition.

Meanwhile, there have been few here that have complicated cases for which they are advised to seek the services of an attorney.

Having said that, I do not know the attorneys you mentioned. If your case is simply straight forward, the general concensus you will get here is do it yourself( and people are willing to guide you through the process) unless you dont have the time and don't mind spending the money.

why are the attorneys' charges different? well people place prices on their services depending on what they feel their worth is. just like coffee from Mcdonalds, Dunkin donuts and starbucks do not cost the same( so I hear cos I am not a drinker )

whatever you decide, best wishes.

Edited February 10, 2013 by ndu26

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

You don't need an attorney but if you really want one I recommend Marc Ellis, he is familiar with your consulate, one of the best with reasonable fees and you can search his post contributions in the VJ search bar by entering his name. Google his contact info.

[Ms Hogan 295]

Unless you have extenuating circumstances then there is no need for a lawyer. Most people here on the site will recommend against it. It is generally a waste of money and can slow down your process since your attorney is never going to have the same sense of urgency as you will to get things done in a timely manner or to prepare items well ahead of time so as to speed things up.

Again, if you have certain circumstances that would REQUIRE a lawyer, that is different. But if you have a straight-forward application, you will find tons of information here as well as an incredible amount of support.

Good luck in whatever you decide!

[speedwell 224]

The main circumstances I see where you might want to consult a lawyer from the outset are:

- The US citizen (USC) or permanent resident petitioner has a criminal record involving sex crimes, crimes of violence, or a pending warrant for any crime

- The petitioner has a difficult history with US immigration, especially involving violations of immigration law

- The petitioner has sponsored one or more fiance or spouse immigrants before, especially if there was a divorce soon after immigration and the foreign ex-spouse then sponsored someone from their own country

- The foreign national beneficiary has a criminal record involving any crime, even if they were just arrested and not charged, or just cautioned

- The beneficiary has a difficult US immigration history, especially involving overstays, denied entries, or deportations

- The beneficiary was previously in spouse or fiance immigration proceedings with a US petitioner, whether this was completed or not

- The basic required documents (marriage certificates, birth certificates, passports, etc.) are not obtainable

- There is a question about whether either person is or was free to marry at the time of marriage

- There is a question about custody of children left behind in the home country

- Either person does or has ever done illegal drugs

Most other cases can be handled by just filling out the appropriate forms and sending the supporting documentation that we talk about in the forum. Remember every case is different and we are not your lawyer.

Edited February 10, 2013 by speedwell

[fcat 79]

I'll fill out all your forms and file them for half the price of the cheapest attorney you find!

[speedwell 224]

I'll fill out all your forms and file them for half the price of the cheapest attorney you find!

Ooh, that's brave. I wouldn't. For one thing, your "clients" think you are a lawyer, even if your swear yourself blind that you aren't. For another, you take on some of the responsibility for doing some due diligence, and some of the risk in case something is wrong, or you have no business putting your name down as the paid preparer.

I know you were joking but it's really quite serious when it's not a well-meaning forum guide, but some schmuck in a storefront office representing himself as an "immigration consultant" and filling out forms on the cheap. Folks, don't ever use an "immigration consultant" when you really need a lawyer.

[Alfia & John 10]

As others have said, unless there is something amiss in your record, the attorney is going to slow down the process. The forms are straight forward, you will either fill them out yourself or provide all the information to the attorney so his secretary can fill them out. I have seen to many horror stories with attorneys, most don't know their as* from a hole in the ground-they are just paper pushers for a dime. sure, there are some good ones and if you case is special, find one of them.

$5K, that's a boat payment or a house payment, not a fee to fill these papers. The entire job will be completed by a secretary at a keyboard, there is nothing for an attorney to do unless there are problems.

[speedwell 224]

$5K, that's a boat payment or a house payment, not a fee to fill these papers. The entire job will be completed by a secretary at a keyboard, there is nothing for an attorney to do unless there are problems.

My taxes are more complicated this year than my immigration forms, and my CPA, a top-notch city practitioner, is charging me less than a sixth of that.

[VR3523 0]

Hey thanks a bunch to all. I'll get started and play it out myself until something weird comes up. Then I'll ask you all to help again.

[dmck 80]

Just remember, answer every single question. If it does not apply simply respond N/A